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Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq has angered the Conservatives by sharing a platform with London Mayor Ken Livingstone as he delivered a “political rant” against the Tories.

Huq appeared at the Hovis London Freewheel event to promote cycling – defying BBC bosses who have strict rules on impartiality.

Mr Livingstone and Green Party member Jenny Jones used the event to accuse the Tories of pursuing “pro-car” policies, according to Brian Coleman, a Conservative councillor and deputy chairman of the London Assembly.

He told The Times: “The launch became a political rant. It is unforgivable for the BBC to allow the Blue Peter name to be lent to a political event.

“But when a presenter does so without their permission you wonder what is going on at the BBC.”

Huq, 31, went ahead with the event on the advice of her agent, Jonathan Shalit.

“Since the event the BBC has made it absolutely clear to Konnie’s agent that the BBC has the final decision in these matters.

“Konnie’s agent has apologised to the BBC for this incident.”

The BBC’s deputy director-general, Mark Byford, wrote to Mr Coleman, saying: “The BBC had turned this down on the grounds that it would be unsuitable for her and Blue Peter.

“It was felt that the BBC and the programme should not be linked with anything that might be construed as campaigning, and that this campaign potentially fell into that bracket.”

He added that Mr Shalit “read her contract differently and booked her into it without the knowledge of the BBC”.

Mr Shalit said Huq had attended “with goodwill” believing the event was about improving fitness through cycling.

“It is totally not the BBC or Konnie’s fault. It is quite correct the BBC said no to it but I wasn’t aware of that,” he told Mediaguardian.co.uk.

“The BBC probably realised it was a political event when I didn’t. All Konnie was asked to do was support a get-fit campaign. It was done with goodwill. The Tories have made this into a political event.”